The Goodness of God

Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. (Psalm 52:1)

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4)


I was recently reminded of a preacher I knew in North Carolina in my college days. When he shook hands, his greeting always included the statement "Ain't God good!". Now, the grammar might not be the best, but the theology is good! So many people fail to look at the goodness of God.

Some people are so proud that they think that all they have or do are simply a result of their own brute strength and ability. They think that their efforts have gotten them position, wealth, etc. Even many who name the name of Christ fall into this trap. They do not realize that everything they have comes from the Lord. It is understandable for a lost man to ignore the Lord and his goodness, but how can Christians become so proud and self-absorbed as to forget the goodness of the Lord?

The mighty man (the man of strength) will often boast of his abilities and his sheer strength. How can we think that we have some great strength that did not come from the Lord? It is the Lord who gives us strength to do anything!

A person can get so proud and busy that he does not recognize that God is good. He does not realize that all blessings come from the Lord. God's goodness is everlasting and long suffering. His goodness is there even when we do not recognize it. It will be there when everything else is gone. As John Bishop says: "God is good all the time!"

Let us never forget the goodness of God.